After man shot dead with toddler in arms, police increase reward for information

After a shooting in a crowded home left one man dead and a toddler wounded last month, Gainesville Police has increased its reward for any information leading to an arrest.

Antonio Mason, 35, died July 27 after being shot by two masked men in a late-night home invasion in the 800 block of NW Fourth Place, according to a statement issued by GPD.

The assailants shot Mason in the chest as he held his 11-month-old daughter, who was shot in the arm, according to the statement. The child and another wounded man, 21, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, but Mason died at the scene.

To encourage witnesses to speak up, GPD first issued a $3,000 reward for information that would lead to an arrest. However, after not receiving enough tips, the department increased the reward to $5,000, according to a statement released Tuesday.

After the shooting, witnesses said, the suspects left the area before officers arrived, according to the statement.

GPD spokesman Officer Ben Tobias said detectives are chasing leads but have not identified any persons of interest.

Tobias said the department has been re-interviewing witnesses, analyzing forensic evidence and pleading for information from the public.

“Our detectives are working very, very hard to piece this together,” he said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call detectives at 352-393-7670 or Crime Stoppers at 352-392-STOP. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call in tips to 352-3939-7700 or text “GPDFL” and the tip to 274637.